Raghavulu decries hike in power tariff

Vijayawada: The state government has been trying to impose additional burden on common man by increasing power tariff, alleged CPM state secretary B.V. Raghavulu.
Speaking to media persons here on Sunday, he said that the government has imposed a burden of Rs 33,957 crore on power consumers. He expressed concern over the negligent attitude of MPs and MLAs over the increase in power tariff. He said the government has decided to to increase additional Rs 12,723 crore which was 42 per cent higher than the increase in the past. He said for the first time after Independence the government has introduced major power tariff hike.
Mr Raghavulu said that instead of encouraging the APGenco, the government has been promoting private power generation companies by allotting coal to private companies. He said that the government has been collecting huge amount in the name of service charges from farmers, though it claims supply of free power for agriculture. In a field survey conducted by CPM, it was noticed that a farmer received a bill of Rs 44,000 towards service charges in Vakkavemula-gudem village of Nalgonda district. He said as per the new tariff the consumers have to pay Rs 2.60 per unit and if the consumption exceeds 100 units they have to pay Rs  5 per unit. He warned that the CPM would lay siege to the government offices on January 22 in protest against power tariff hike. He appealed to oppositon parties to launch a protest instead of restricting to mere statements on power tariff.
CPM district secretary Mr R. Raghu and city secretary Mr Ch. Babu Rao were present. Later, the CPM leaders burnt the effigy of government in protest against power tariff hike at Beasant Road here.